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Overactive bladder (OAB), meaning the urgent and frequent need to urinate, sometimes with leaks, is very common. More than three in 10 women in the U.S. live with OAB, but the older you are, the more likely you are to develop it.
In many cases, OAB can be treated. But you can’t get treatment if you don’t talk to someone about it.
Typically, you will first speak to your primary care physician (PAP) about your symptoms. PAPs often control OAB, but you can also seek treatment from a gynecologist, urologist, urogynecologist, or geriatrician. Regardless of who sees you, preparing your consultations will make them more useful.
Here are simple ways to prepare and get the most out of your consultation.
1. Identify who will treat your OAB
You may be able to seek care from a doctor, registered nurse, or healthcare professional to help you with your OAB. And these clinicians could have different areas of expertise. It is advisable to understand who will treat you and what their specialty is.
Basic care: Focuses on general wellness and prevention measures and frequently diagnoses and treats OAB. If you need more specialized treatment, this professional will refer you to a specialist.
gynecology: Experts in women’s reproductive health and can diagnose and treat OAB. Depending on your symptoms and treatment needs, you may be referred to a urologist or urogynecologist for further evaluation or specialized treatment.
urology: Specializes in the urinary system, including the bladder.
Urogynecology: Focuses on pelvic floor problems including OAB and urinary leakage.
geriatrics: Specialized care for older adults. Since up to half of women over 65 suffer from OAB, doctors in geriatric practices regularly treat this disorder.
2. Keep a bladder diary for at least three days
You can save notes on a computer, phone, or notebook, or download a micturition or bladder diary. This will give your doctor a clearer picture of what is happening over time, rather than having to remember it when questions arise.
Note:
- When did you go to bed and when did you wake up?
- How often did you get up at night to urinate?
- What did you drink, how much and when?
- If you feel the urge to urinate
- How much you urinate. If you want to be precise, you can use a measuring cup.
- If your bladder is leaking, painful, burning or uncomfortable
3. List your medications
Some medications, such as diuretics (“water tablets”), can cause or worsen OAB symptoms. Therefore, make a list of all the medications you take, including:
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications such as painkillers, antihistamines, etc.
- Vitamins and nutritional supplements
4. Specify how OAB affects you
Your doctor will ask you questions about urination, but it’s important to understand how these symptoms affect your life.
- Do you avoid going out?
- Are your work or activities affected by frequent trips to the toilet?
- Do you feel tired because you get up to urinate several times a night?
- Does OAB affect your relationships, social life, or sex life?
- Should you use incontinence pads, panty liners or absorbent underwear? How often should you change them?
5. Prepare a list of questions
It is not advisable to leave the consultation only to remember questions later. Write down your questions in advance as they come to mind. This list could be long. So mark the most important ones so that you can ask them first if you can’t discuss them all. These can be questions like:
- What could be causing my symptoms?
- Should I undergo tests and if so, which ones?
- What treatments do you recommend?
- What are the possible side effects of the treatments?
- Are there things I can do at home that will be helpful?
6. Communicate clearly
Doctors prefer clear, direct wording to avoid confusion. There is no reason to be ashamed. Remember that OAB is common. You could start the conversation with statements like:
- I have to get up frequently at night to urinate.
- I am exhausted because I get up so often to urinate and it interferes with my work, everyday life or life.
- Sometimes I need to urinate so badly that I can’t make it to the bathroom.
- I’m leaking urine and it’s embarrassing. So I stopped participating in activities.
7. Make sure you talk about what’s bothering you before you go out
Make sure your questions and concerns have been addressed. You might ask:
- Should I keep a bladder diary?
- What do I do if my symptoms get worse?
- When will I receive the test results?
- How long should I wait to find out if the treatment is working?
- When should I schedule a follow-up appointment?
Factors that make living with OAB difficult
Anyone can develop OAB, but some groups are more severely affected. One study found that adults with OAB who face social or economic difficulties may feel the impact of OAB on their lives even more acutely. This includes people who:
- You don’t have a job
- You have a low income
- They don’t have enough food
- They are homeless or their housing situation is unstable
- You don’t have health insurance
If you have been diagnosed with OAB but are worried about being able to follow the treatment plan or attend appointments, mention this. There may be options such as low-cost medications, video conference consultations, or local resources that your doctor could suggest.
This educational resource was created with the support of Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.
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